Miele Complete C3 Vacuum Review

Review overview

Features9

Design & Accessories9

Performance9.5

Value9.5

Summary

9.3Our Score
It’s powerful and with the brush floor head and mini brush you won’t have any issues hoovering up hair from your floor, furniture or vehicle, though the universal head coupled with the strong suction is enough alone to push other competitors out of the way for normal floor cleaning.

What Is the Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog PowerLine?

Miele is a popular German manufacturer of various household and commercial appliances, and have been in operation since 1899. Many people who are looking for a reliable vacuum cleaner often look to Miele products as they are known to perform consistently well. Although they have a wide range of hoovers at different price points, the new Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog PowerLine cylinder hoover is one you should consider if you have animals.

Miele has several versions of the C3 depending on your needs and budget, but the Cat and Dog PowerLine is specially designed to pick up fur that other vacuum cleaners have trouble with. They used to offer a 1200 watt version which had very favourable reviews, although due to EU regulations and to save energy they have now released an 890-watt model. Purchasers may be sceptical of the suction capabilities as a result of this, but these concerns are misplaced as the new C3 still performs admirably.

What we really wanted to know was how this compared to other pet-friendly hoovers. We’ve purchased one to write this Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog PowerLine vacuum cleaner review and let you know.

Pros

Multiple Accessories – This version features two-floor heads and an integrated 3-piece accessory kit for a wide range of cleaning applications. It also has a telescopic tube.

5L Bag – The large bag means you don’t have to worry about emptying the C3 too often.

Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog PowerLine Key Features

TurboTeQ Brush – The TurboTeQ floor head that is included with the C3 Cat and Dog model contains an efficient suction powered brush. The dual brush and suction action works great on carpeted flooring to pick up pet hair, as well as embedded dirt and debris. If you purchase from Amazon you’ll also receive the mini turbo brush which is great for picking up pet hair on upholstery as well as smaller floor areas.

11 Stage Filtration System – This vacuum cleaner uses a 4.5-litre HyClean GN sealable microfiber bag which is capable of capturing 99.9% of the particles you hoover up. Also included when you purchase new bags are additional microfilters for dust allergens. The C3 also uses a charcoal Active AirClean exhaust filter which removes odours.

Silence System – The C3 uses a ‘silence system’ which means that it has been insulated and also has a sound-optimized motor for quieter cleaning.

Design & Accessories

The Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog PowerLine looks like a basic cylinder vacuum cleaner but is anything but. It’s a very well thought-out hoover that is light at 5.4kg and has a large 12-meter operating radius. It’s available in wine red with grey accents and features an ergonomic handle, flexible hose and a telescopic stainless steel tube.

Included with the vacuum cleaner is a 3-piece accessory kit (which is integrated under a flap on the top of the hoover) and two-floor heads:

Standard Floor Head – Universal floor head suitable for all flooring types.

TurboTeQ Brush Floor Head – Contains a suction powered brush to pick up pet hair on carpets more efficiently.

Mini Turbo Brush – The model available on Amazon includes a mini turbo brush which can be used for vacuuming up pet hair on upholstery as well as smaller areas the normal floor head can’t tackle (i.e. carpeted stairs).

Crevice Nozzle – Ideal for corners, edges, between cushions and other tight spaces.

Upholstery Nozzle – Best used for cleaning furniture.

Dusting Brush – Can be used for a wide range of dusting applications around the home.

Note: Although these tools are more than efficient to help you clean your car, it’s also possible to purchase a CarCare accessory kit in addition to a plethora of other attachments depending on your needs.

The C3 Cat and Dog hoover are very well made and the telescopic tube and floor heads click into place very firmly. So far there haven’t been any complaints about build quality which can be expected with the company’s pedigree. The hoover is very easy to operate with your foot without needing to stoop. Toward the bottom of the vacuum cleaner is the user panel which contains four buttons (on/off, cable rewind, increase suction and decrease suction). The suction setting is illuminated in orange for your reference, and is calibrated to work best for the following:

Curtains and Fabric

Upholstery and Cushions

Short Pile Carpets and Rugs

ECO/Quiet Mode

Loop Pile Carpets and Rugs

Hard Flooring and Heavily Soiled Carpets and Rugs

There is also a bag change indicator light to let you know when it’s time to empty the bag. This is very easy to access, and the bags include a slide to ensure you don’t breathe in the dust while removing and discarding them.

Performance

Although many people are turning to cordless hoovers, when you have a home that’s a refuge for pet hair (and we know it does get everywhere), then it’s hard to beat this high-performance cylinder vacuum cleaner. Even at 890 watts (which is close to the maximum 900 watts for all new European sold vacuum cleaners), the suction is very powerful. It does what it was designed to do, and that’s pick up all manner of dirt and debris around the home – whether you have thick carpets or wooden floors. It also doesn’t matter whether the particles are fine or large, so it’s easy to see why Miele has built such a reputation.

Having said that, this particular C3 model has been designed for those with pets and the TurboTeQ brush floor head and a mini turbo brush both works very well to pick up pet hair. The former is best suited for carpeted flooring, while the latter is great for furniture due to its smaller size (especially the type that is prone to pet hair becoming interwoven with the fabric) – in addition to other areas such as stairs or between furniture when the brush floor head is too large. For general cleaning though, the dual purpose head does as well as any other and also doesn’t have the annoying habit of pushing debris around on hard floors. The heads are versatile and easy to use, and the vacuum cleaner will have no trouble following you around the house. It can also be stood vertically if you intend to carry it while you clean the stairs.

It’s easy to remove the telescopic handle and use one of the three integrated attachments (which is a smart feature as they are available as and when you need them), all of which work well. The upholstery tool also does a great job on furniture that isn’t too heavily soiled with fur.

This specific C3 did a great job of eliminating odours as well, though perhaps it would have been smarter to include a HEPA13 exhaust filter which is better suited for capturing allergens.

Price

The Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog PowerLine isn’t a cheap cylinder vacuum cleaner and the price ranges from £300 to £400 depending on where you buy it from and what attachments are included. However, for the price you can rest assured that you’re getting a quality hoover that will last you several years and won’t start to lose suction (if it does you’ll likely just need to change the bag). There are a number of additional attachments and kits you can purchase to broaden its cleaning abilities, though these can be a little pricey. Miele appliances are backed by a standard 2-year guarantee, but you can choose to extend this for up to an additional 8 years.

Verdict

If you find yourself drowning in pet hair all year round (or even just in the Spring), this hoover can certainly make your life easier. It’s powerful and with the brush floor head and mini brush you won’t have any issues hoovering up hair from your floor, furniture or vehicle, though the universal head coupled with the strong suction is enough alone to push other competitors out of the way for normal floor cleaning. If you are still considering alternatives, check out our write up on the Shark Lift Away True Pet vacuum cleaner here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the power cable?

8½ meters.

Is this model good for those with allergies?

Although the filtration is excellent and most people will find they have no problem; if you suffer badly from allergies you can choose to purchase the C3 Silence EcoLine or C3 Total Solution PowerLine models which have HEPA13 filtration.

How much are replacement filters?

The exhaust filter is £19.99 and the bags with additional micro filters start at around £10.65 for a pack of 4 bags, 2 micro filters and 5 fresheners. These are widely available on Amazon. It’s worth noting that third-party bags don’t work as well as those sold by Miele and can reduce suction.

How often should I change the filters?

The C3 is designed to last a long time between the bag and filter changes. However, there is a bag change indicator light that lets you know when it should be changed. The exhaust Active AirClean filter should be changed once a year.

Is this good for wood floors?

Yes. The universal floor head can be used very effectively on wooden floors without scratching them. However, if you don’t have carpets you can choose to purchase the Hardfloor Twister Brush which is designed specifically for homes with hard floors – and as the name suggests is agiler.

Does this have an auto-wind feature?

Yes. There is a foot switchable button that rewinds the power cord once you are finished hoovering.

Having gone through the rigmarole of choosing and purchasing a vacuum cleaner, Will knows best the absolutely horrendous journey of a vacuum cleaner consumer. He now focuses his time and attention on helping you find the perfect vacuum cleaner for your needs.

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Top Ten Vacuums is here to provide you with the best, most thorough reviews of every type of vacuum cleaner. We personally purchase and test each product we discuss, to give you the most comprehensive recommendations for vacuum cleaners.